Salivary Gland Diseases: Analysis of Patients Attended at Dow Lab Karachi

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study is to describe demographic characteristic of 103 cases of major and minor salivary 
glands diagnosed at DDRRL (Dow lab Diagnostic reference and research laboratory) OJHA campus, DUHS 
Karachi. 
Study Design: Observational Study.  
Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at Dow University of Health Sciences Ojha Campus, 
Karachi from January 2009 to April 2011. 
Materials and Methods: Salivary gland diseases are uncommon and include diseases which affect both major and 
minor salivary gland. They consist of a group of heterogeneous lesions with complex clinicopathological 
characteristics and distinct biologic behavior. Epidemiological data of these diseases in the various parts of the 
world can be helpful for a better understanding of its biology and clinical characteristics. 
Clinical and histopathological data of all patients with salivary gland diseases are retrospectively analyzed and 
described. 
Results: In this study, 103 cases of salivary gland diseases be analyzed, out of all cases 31 were infections, 50 were 
benign neoplasms, and 22 were malignant neoplasms. Majority of the cases occurred in parotid gland followed by 
submandibular and minor salivary glands. Infections are common between the ages between 10-35 years and peak 
incidence in 30 years. Benign tumors are common between 20-25 years and 40-50 years and with a peak incidence 
in 40 years. Tumor affected more commonly the adult patients with peak incidence between 35-65 years and peak 
incidence in 50 years with slight predominance in females.  Pleomorphic adenoma is the most frequent finding 
followed by sialadenitis and squamous cell carcinoma. 
Conclusion: Patients with salivary gland diseases are mainly adults with marginally more female patients. Most 
commonly found infections are sialadenitis involving sub mandibular gland in majority of cases. Benign tumors are 
more frequent then malignant ones. Pleomorphic adenoma is the commonest benign tumor and squamous cell 
carcinoma is the commonest malignant neoplasm. Both benign and malignant tumors involve parotid gland 
commonly.